Desmond Jones headlines at hometown hotspot

THURSDAY, Dec. 3 — The Loft, in downtown Lansing, has hosted talent from all over the country. National acts like Macklemore, Bastille and Fastball have all swung through town to perform on the relatively intimate 20-foot stage inside the 400-person venue.

But the venue’s size and downtown location also make it a great spot for local bands to dip their feet into the rock ‘n’ roll world. Tomorrow night, local group Desmond Jones is preparing to make a big step into that world by hosting its first headlining show, supported by Old Shoe, and EGi.

Since its formation in 2012, East Lansing’s Desmond Jones has made a name for itself in the Lansing music scene. The funk/rock/jazz quintet has gained a dedicated following around the area, performing shows for packed house parties and semi-frequent gigs at the Avenue, Mac’s Bar and the Loft. The group has played 13 times at the Loft as openers, but never as headliner.

“We have really been looking forward to this show for a long time,” said Isaac Berkowitz, lead guitarist and vocalist for Desmond Jones. “Whenever we get to play a hometown show, whether in East Lansing or Lansing, the band usually tries to do something special. Hopefully, Friday will be a pretty wild night.”

For tomorrow’s show, the band is also bringing in Mt. Pleasant-based Tree Love Collective, a group of artists/vendors who will run merchandise tables, including live artist demonstrations.

“About a year ago, we were at a show in Mt. Pleasant and met some of the artists from the collective,” Berkowitz said. “They had such a cool vibe with what they were doing. I’m excited to see what they have in store.”

Out-of-towners Old Shoe and EGi, both from Chicago, will warm up the stage. Old Shoe is a five-piece “roots rock ‘n’ roll” outfit, and EGi is an improv progressive rock band with a sound it describes as “what it would feel like to live in ‘The Never Ending Story.’”

Those unable to attend the show will be able to download the show straight from the bands archive.org account.

“We record every live show we play,” said Berkowitz. “Live bootlegs and audience recordings are such a staple of the music scene and something we as a band always told ourselves we would do.”